43. Cadence
This week was all about maintaining momentum in the middle of competing priorities. Manchester set the tone with an intense schedule, tight turnarounds, and constant context switching. Even so, I stuck to the routine and got out every morning on a pre-designated loop. The weather turned out to be far better than expected, which removed a layer of resistance and reinforced how much easier consistency becomes when the plan is already in place.
Nutrition stayed on track from start to finish. No drift and no late-week compromises. In a period where workload usually creates pressure on the basics, holding the line felt like a strategic win. Small, consistent decisions continued to compound throughout the week.
Not everything was seamless. My left eyelid decided to swell, which was uncomfortable and distracting, but it resolved itself and became a minor reminder that not every setback deserves disproportionate attention.
The real highlight came from discovering the Nidda and Nidda Park. It is peaceful, traffic-free, and full of autumn colours, and it immediately created headspace I did not realise I was missing. I almost wish I had found it earlier, although I am just pleased it is now part of the weekly toolkit.
Given the workload associated with travel and wrapping up the year, I am genuinely pleased with logging 12.5 hours of training. It shows there is still headroom even when demands spike, provided the operating model remains structured. Sleep, however, was inconsistent. Coach Matthew has had a cough, so he ended up with a VIP spot between us and delivered the full shebang: a few kicks in my back, feet on my chest, a 3am shiatsu session, and a solid snuggle to wrap it up. Not great for sleep, but very much part of the journey right now.
Carve Out
This week I read How to Build a Car by Adrian Newey. The book showcases how disciplined engineering and obsessive iteration drive real performance, both on track and beyond it. It inspired me to watch the Williams and Mansell documentary and to build the Ferrari SF-24 Lego set, which was a small but satisfying reminder that mastery is built through layers of practice, not lucky outcomes.
